Rock and Rollin in Austin!

June 23, 2012

Austin, Texas

To start today's post I had to get some tunes going and not surprisingly today’s choice (thanks to amazon's cloud player) was the Dave Matthew Band. Yet it wasn't just any random song today. Today I'm listening with a purpose to find some inspiration from the song “You might die trying.” For me personally this song has a very special meaning now. It always makes me think of my little brother and the years he's sacrificed in the name of his country by bravely signing up to join the Army. What impresses me though is the fact that he signed up not because he had hopes of going to war, proving anything to anyone, or the glory or the glamor that comes from being an American soldier. He did it solely with the purpose to get an education, to better himself, and to change the world and that's what makes him the most god damn bravest person I've ever met and thankfully I've had numerous chances to tell him this. “If you give you begin to live...” Perfection!

Anyway, in my time I've had a lot of drinks while watching musicians, had a few drinks with some outstanding musicians, been I've never had drinks while the musicians were playing standing next to me! However, last night that all changed at BD Riley's Irish Pub on 6^th street in Austin. After rocking the crowd with its three piece fusion of blues, southern rock, and blinding electric guitar solos, the Eric Tessmer Band stepped up there game, and stepped off the small stage in the corner and moved out into the crowd while continuing on with a ridiculously long electric solo.

Now don't get me wrong, really good musicians don't normally need an added hook or “gimmick.” Great musicians should be able to put on a great show even if their standing in place the whole time, but a little movement never hurts. These guys, including the bassist and guitarist, took that to the next level by walking through the crowd while keeping a heavy blues jam going. Seeing their lead guitarist/vocalist doing an insane solo not a foot away is a whole new experience for me and being able to play (but no wheres near that good!) it couldn't have been cooler to be so close and actually get some idea of what the hell he was doing. It was awesome and other bands may do this as well, but I've never seen it before and it certainly led to a memorable performance. They even managed to take it as far as the bassist going outside to smoke his cigarette all the while continuing on with the song and never missing a beat.

Now to describe the overall feel of downtown Austin, especially 6^th street is somewhat difficult. It's a lot like New Orleans in the vibe, the live music, and the sheer amount of people out and about drinking merrily, but its also totally different. Austin seems much more polished even maybe more established. The scene is epic with an entire street blocked off for the thousands of people out looking to hear some good music, dance, and have a good time. Many in the area actually believe that the Austin music scene is number 1 in the entire country and I suppose it is at least in its genre of Southern Rock, blues, and progressive rhythms all mixed up into one. It doesn't have the tap your foot beat of New Orleans, or the old feel of the french quarter, but it's got a hell of a lot of style.

To compliment our terrible twosome, last night I got to meet up with a friend I had met in New Orleans the week before from Israel. Despite my brothers drunken attempts to call him Jason, Jackson, Jarod, and Jacob, Jordan is a pretty cool traveler whose probably on his way to Las Vegas right now by plane. We met up at 6^th street just like we had been long time friends, and in a posse of three we made the 6^th street experience ours last night. Each place was crowded, dark, a little pricey, and we definitely left with only each others phone numbers (and some Burger King thanks to a gracious taxi), but like I said before it was epic.

Tonight should be fun though as well if not a little quieter. The people we've met who are staying here at the Extended Stay Deluxe have invited us to a good old fashion cookout. While me and Ian will surely continue the fight on how to make Bruschetta in our tiny kitchen, one thing is certain. It should be a lot of fun. Good people, great food, and tasty drinks: what could be better?